"Haa… not long now, we'll be near land again. Hoenn… I really can't wait."
Silas sat by the cabin window, flipping through one of Meta's breeder journals.
Perhaps because Fearow had just evolved, both Corphish and Carvanha had thrown themselves into extra practice every day, working far harder than before.
That suited Silas just fine because his role was to keep their supplies flowing.
"Catch it!"
He tossed out a sky-blue Pokéblock.
Corphish's claws snapped out instantly, catching it midair without fail.
"Cor-phish!!"
Corphish gave a satisfied burp, waved its claws, and dove straight back into training.
"I can't sit idle either. Time to try a new recipe. This one's good… a primary Pokéblock formula: Waves. It's supposed to help Water-types sense energy faster. In other words, it speeds up leveling."
He flipped through the breeder's notes Mira had gifted him, eyes brightening at the discovery.
Silas had already mastered several basic Pokéblocks. It was time to challenge himself with something harder.
He pulled out the portable Pokéblock maker from his cabinet, assembled the parts, and prepared the ingredients:
one Mystic Water Berry,
a small piece of Sun Coral,
a few ordinary berries.
He carefully purified the coral, removing impurities while preserving its core essence, then placed everything into the machine and began hand-grinding.
Every measurement had to be precise - no more, no less. The stirring time and pressure needed to be exact. That was why Pokéblock crafting was so grueling: each step demanded perfection.
Finally, he poured the juice into the compressor. After condensing and drying, the result would solidify into a Pokéblock. A touch of spice could be added to improve taste, but since these were only for his own Pokémon, he kept it simple.
"The smell alone is enough to attract the greedy little ones," Silas chuckled.
To his surprise, the very first attempt worked. A small sky-blue Pokéblock formed in his hand.
"Hah! First try success. Maybe I really am a genius!"
But reality struck quick. His second, third, and fourth attempts failed miserably.
"Tch… figures it was just luck. Still, I've got about a one-in-twenty success rate now. Better than before."
He sighed, then set himself back to work.
By the end of half a day, Silas had attempted over 300 times. His hands were sore and blistered, but more than 20 perfect Pokéblocks sat proudly on the table.
Each one gleamed sky-blue, exuding a faint salty fragrance. Held to the light, they revealed rippling patterns inside like ocean waves.
"Not bad… not bad at all. Time to show Teacher Mira and ask for guidance."
He left his room, gave his Pokémon a few final instructions, then walked toward the upper cabin.
The summer sea breeze was warm, the midday sun scorching. Most pirates carried sunscreen now; otherwise, by evening they'd all look like patchy black-and-white caricatures.
Silas reached Mira's door and gently pushed it open.
This door was no longer unfamiliar. A year ago, he would have knocked timidly. Now, he could step freely into Mira's quarters.
In that year, their relationship had even grown closer from apprentice to student, from strangers to something that felt almost like family. Sometimes, Silas even cracked small jokes, making Mira laugh.
"Teacher," Silas greeted with a smile, holding up the small box. "I've crafted a new Pokéblock. I'd like your guidance."
Mira didn't immediately answer. Her usual gentleness was absent. Instead, her voice was low and probing.
"Silas… what are your plans for the future? Do you mean to remain a pirate forever?"
Silas froze. His hands halted mid-motion. The unexpected question struck him speechless.
"With your talent, you shouldn't waste away here," Mira pressed, her gaze sharp yet filled with worry. "Do you really want to die in some pirate skirmish and sink quietly into the sea?"
She paced slowly, then added, "The Hoenn Alliance is planning a grand conference next year. It's the perfect chance for promising young trainers like you to make your mark."
Mira's eyes softened as she studied him. Seventeen now, Silas was no longer the frail boy she had picked up ,with training, hard work, and proper nutrition had built him into a lean, steady young man.
She reached out, her smooth hand brushing his cheek. "You look so much like him…" she murmured.
Silas tensed, lowering his head, unsure how to respond.
"You belong on land, Silas," Mira said gently. "That's where you can soar. The sea is nothing but chains."
Turning, she unlocked a small safe and withdrew an ID card.
"This is a forged trainer license. From today on, you are a registered League trainer. On the back are records of your 'past experiences.' Memorize them, then destroy the card."
Silas hesitated but accepted it. Turning it over, he saw the back crammed with detailed information. His new identity. His clean slate.
His heart swelled with conflicted emotions. He had dreamed of escaping, but never thought it possible. Now Mira herself was giving him that chance.
"Teacher… what about you?" Silas asked quietly. "Will you really spend the rest of your life trapped like this?"
Mira chuckled softly, swaying her graceful figure as she tapped his forehead playfully. "You little rascal. Trying to order your teacher around now?"
Silas flushed but stayed serious, waiting for her true answer.
Mira sighed, a wistful gleam in her eyes. "Perhaps one day… I'll find a quiet village inland. Open a small ranch. Live the rest of my life in peace."
Silas stared in shock. He had never imagined the ruthless pirate captain had such a simple, gentle dream.
"Really, Teacher?"
"Yes, child," Mira smiled, her voice tender. "Even the strongest must sometimes let go of the past… and search for peace."
Silas fell silent, her words lingering in his heart. For the first time, he truly understood: even the cruelest could long for a softer place in the world.
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(End of chapter)